NL roundup: Astros beat Mets for DeFrancesco's first win

Cleveland Indians batter Jack Hannahan hits a ground out to New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, as Yankees catcher Russell Martin watches, to end the baseball game in Cleveland, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. The Yankees won 3-1. Y(AP Phil Long)

New York Mets' David Wright (5) is out at second base as Houston Astros' Tyler Greene (23) catches him after tagging him out in the sixth inning while second base umpire Dave Rackley watches at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

New York Mets' Jordany Valdespin (1) is out at second base as Houston Astros' Tyler Greene leaps and throws to first base to get Mets' Andres Torres out at first for a double play in the second inning at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez (51) grimaces after giving up a singe to Milwaukee Brewers' Jonathan Lucroy that drove in Corey Hart with the Brewers send run of the second inning of the baseball game on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

St. Louis Cardinals' Allen Craig follows through on a single in the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Cincinnati. Craig had three hits, one a home run, and drove in three runs as the Cardinals won 8-5. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jason Motte, left, and catcher Yadier Molina congratulate each other after the Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 in a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Cincinnati. Motte recorded his 30th save and Molina had three hits, one a home run. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard stands on first base after he hit a one-run single against the Washington Nationals in the eight inning of a baseball game on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Philadelphia.The Phillies won 4-2. (AP Photo/H. Rumph Jr)

Chicago Cubs' Welington Castillo, right, celebrates with third base coach Pat Listach after hitting a solo home run against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning during a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. Chicago won 5-3. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Chicago Cubs' Josh Vitters left, is tagged out by Colorado Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez at home plate in the eighth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. The Cubs won 5-3. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

Milwaukee Brewers' Aramis Ramirez, right, is greeted by on-deck batter Jonathan Lucroy after scoring from first on a double by Corey Hart in the second inning of the baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Cincinnati Reds' Joey Votto (19) talks with Xavier Paul (26) during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Cincinnati. Votto did a full workout before the game and said he's "not too far off" from returning. Votto, the league's MVP in 2010, was batting .342 when he had surgery for torn knee cartilage on July 17. St. Louis won 8-5. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

Houston Astros catcher Chris Snyder (18) tags out New York Mets' Ike Davis (29) as Davis tried to score on a fielder's choice hit into by teammate Jordany Valdespin in the second inning of a baseball game at Citi Field in New York, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Belisle wipes his face as he is pulled after giving up two runs to the Chicago Cubs in the eighth inning during a baseball game in Chicago, Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. Chicago won 5-3. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Jordan Lyles won for the first time in two months and the Houston Astros snapped a seven-game skid Friday night with a 3-1 victory over the sluggish New York Mets, giving Tony DeFrancesco his first win as a major league manager.

Tyler Greene homered and Lyles knocked in a run with his first career double as the Astros (40-86) improved to 4-0 against the Mets this season. Houston, with the worst record in the majors, won for only the eighth time in its last 51 games.

■ Cubs 5, Rockies 3

CHICAGO — Joe Mather hit a go-ahead single during a three-run rally in the eighth inning and Chicago ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over Colorado.

The Rockies had matched a season best with a five-game winning streak.

Chicago trailed 3-2 going into the eighth before Brett Jackson led off with his second homer of the season.

■ Brewers 6, Pirates 5

PITTSBURGH — Mike Fiers pitched effectively into the seventh inning, Aramis Ramirez had a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh and Milwaukee held on to win its fourth straight.

Fiers (7-6) tied a career high with 10 strikeouts. The rookie allowed three runs and five hits in 62/3 innings.

Ramirez went 2 for 4 and scored two runs. He cleared the bases with a two-out double to right-center in the seventh, breaking a 2-2 tie. Ramirez then scored on Corey Hart’s single.

■ Phillies 4, Nationals 2

PHILADELPHIA — Kyle Kendrick pitched effectively for 6 2-3 innings and Jimmy Rollins drove in two runs to lead Philadelphia.

Kendrick (7-9), one of seven pitchers used by Philadelphia, allowed four hits and struck out three to help the Phillies win for the fifth time in the last seven games.

■ Cardinals 8, Reds 5

CINCINNATI — Allen Craig and Yadier Molina homered during a six-run sixth inning for St. Louis.

The Cardinals’ big comeback off Mat Latos (10-4) started a 10-day trip against the Reds, Pirates and Nationals.

Cincinnati knocked out starter Lance Lynn in the third inning. Joe Kelly (4-5) fanned six in three innings of relief. Jason Motte pitched the ninth for his 30th save in 35 chances.